Overview
- NHS England paid trusts £18,818,566 between April and September for validation exercises, roughly £3 million a month at about £33 per removal.
- In November, 346,300 patients were taken off elective waiting lists—82,000 more than in October—accounting for nearly all of the headline monthly fall.
- Official activity data show hospitals delivered about 10% fewer operations and appointments in November than in October, indicating the drop did not reflect higher treatment levels.
- The Department of Health and Social Care defended the approach, saying more than 85% of removals result from direct care, while ministers describe validation as established good practice.
- Think tanks warn the tactic can mislead without transparency and risk inappropriate deletions, as opposition figures condemn the payments and a former official says Rishi Sunak previously vetoed a similar plan.